Antique Buffet Style Music Box with Dancing Dolls by Paillard (?), c. 1890
A scarce buffet-style upright antique cylinder music box probably made by Paillard in St Croix, Switzerland in c. 1890.
The fully serviced movement features two dancing dolls together with 5 engraved bells, 3 of which are stuck by enamel butterflies.
The movement also features a tune indicator and plays with a lovely right sound.
It has all been fully restored and the dolls have been redressed to put them in great dancing condition.
It plays a selection of 12 mainly music hall tunes of the day as detailed on the replacement tunesheet mounted on the left door.
This is all housed within a case veneered unusually in oak with ebony inlay and transfer motifs to the exterior of the doors.
Both the top and the moulded plinth are ebonised, giving the music box a very nice presence.
A rare item, and great fun.